Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-20

| accomplished
Both Paul and Mr.. Delorme were fully
occupied as hosts, and the planter cared
not for the coSt-he only counted upon
and hoped for the restoration of his
child
1t took considerable time to get so
many men together and provision them,
and 1t was the evening of the tenth day
before the Major had gathered sufficient
force, in his mind, to invade the country
Of the enemy. At that time he had about
$50 men, and to European general such
q force of would seem very inadequate to
attack nation which could assemble
10000 or $4,000 mounted warriors st q
very brief notice; but with that class Of
men, who think twenty to one not an
overmatch against them-as they have
often proved in Mexico, Texas, Cuba,
Nicarauga, and on the "Plains'-300 or
400 men compose army enough for almost
any purpose.
On the evening Of the tenth day after
his return the Major mustered his men,
all mounted and under arms, to see if they
were fully prepared for service, for he in
tended to start on the next day.
They made an unique but powerful
show, clad in every style of dress, armed
variously, and mounted upon horses of all
sizes and colors. But no matter what
their garb was, you had but to look at
their sineWy frames, rough faces and fear
less eyes to know that they were ready
and fit for the work before them.
The inspection of the Major was close;
every weapon, msn and horse was exam
ined, and if the least thing was wrong the
delinquent was cautioned to rectify it..
| M Vuhn 10 al
the old soldier had q kind and hearty
word, which trebly endeared the old
'fWaT horse" IS they called him, to them.
The inspection over, they were dis
missed, with orders TO be ready for the
saddle when the sun rose in the morning,
and with permission to enjoy themselves
as best they might upon their last night
as, indeed, 1t might be, FOR many of them
in the settlements.
'Is everything ready now for start"
asked Mr.. Delorme, as the Major stood
upon the piazza, while the men filed off to
their respective quarters.
"All ready, sir. Tomorrow will see us
in the field once more, and l will never
eat bread under roof again until I've
got your child back and tanned out the
redskins so completely that they'll re-
member Ben McCulloch forever, and
scare their papooses with his name g
hundred years from now.
"There is that girl, riding this way"
said Paul, turning pale and going into
the house.
1t was indeed Ada McAIpin who was
seen riding through the gate, dressed in
her masculine garb as described before,
well armed and magnihCently mounted.
81 come, SIR" said she to the Major,
"to report that, having concluded my
| business at Galveston, l have returned
and am now ready to lead my band away,
according to the conditions Of their re-
Iease.n
at is well. They shall have their arms
in the morning." said the Major.
Ada bowed, gave him military saIUte,
and rode away to the camp of her Free
Rangers.
CHAPTER LII.
Days went; and poor Stella, scarce
touching food, and mourning all the time,
| faded away and wilted like a crushed
| flower. In vain did Lagona send the
| beautiful maidens of his tribe, who had
come to the new location, to wait upon
| her and sing and dance for her. They
could not dry her tears; they could not
| hush her signs; they could not bring
smiles to her pale and sorroW-st stricken
| face. 1t was evident that the Master of
Life would soon take her to his bosom
unless some change came to render her
| less miserable.
| Lagona saw and felt this; and it rem
! dered him more miserable than she was
| He bore it for time; but when he saw
no change in her-that she looked upon
| him still with aVersion-his noble nature
! took supremacy, and he determined to
restore her TO her relatives.
One evening, before the darkness had
comelon, while the still gray of twilight
| lay dreamily on bill and loWland-on
rock, and tree and Water-he entered the
pretty room assigned to her, and said,
very low and gently: ~ s
"The White Flower must weep nd
more! Lagona will take her back to thosE
who love her, and he will die for be
cannot live without the White Flower ~
Stells looked up in, lTeader, butldid not
reply; for she hade become so hopeless
that she did not realize tAat he meant,
indeed, to give ter. freedom.
'Does the White Flowsghear the words
| of Lagona?" he askeds z.sHe will take
her back to her fathers lodge, that she
may smile again and make glad the hearts
that love her" ~
"Lagona does. not mean What he says,n
she murmured. 8.'He mocks me in my
misery"
"Lagona never eats his words! He
loves the White Flower! She does not
love him here, but in the land of spirits
she will love him, for he will die for her!
Tomorrow she shall start for the lodge
Other father. Tonight Lsgona begs her
FCeeat and drink, so that she may be
fsStrong for the Journey"
Lagona said this in low, firm tone,
and looked so noble, though, so very sad,
when he uttered it, that Stella felt sure
he was not deceiving her. Tears rolled
down her cheek again, but now they were
tears of Joy.
"Noble, good, generous Lagona!" she
cried, grasping his hand and kissing it
many times, 81 will never-never for
get you? cannot love you, but 1 will
respect you alwsys-Will ever call you
friend-a great, good, honorable mani"
The hand which she held and kissed
tremOled like an aspen leaf, and his
whole frame shook with an agitation
which showed how great was the con-
fict in his bosom-with what struggle
ne conquered his desires and passions.
At last he said, in low and husky
tone;
nLet the White Flower eat and grow
strong. SO that she can ride great ways
tomorrow"
"Cannot l go tonight, Lsgona?" she
asked,
at will be very dark, and the White
III 90 Hor